Albert a



(No Model.)

A. A. FREEMAN.

METHOD OF PRESERVING OYSTERS, &o. No. 459,220. Patented Sept. 8, 1891.

WITNESSES: EN 0/? ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT A. FREEMAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF PRESERVING OYSTERS, 8.1.0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,220, datedSeptember 8, 1891.

Application filed April 29, 1891. Serial No. 390,886. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT A. FREEMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Mode or Method ofPreserving Oysters, Clams, and other Bivalves, which improvement isfully set forth in the following specification and accompanyingdrawings.

My invention consists of a method whereby oysters, &c., are kept alivein the shell and retain their liquors and juices so that when openedthey will be found to be in natural and fresh condition.

Figures 1 and 3 represent perspective views of a bivalve preserved bythe method embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinalsection of a portion of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents a longitudinal sectionof a portion of Fig. 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates an oyster, and B the hingethereof. Between the shells, rearward of the hinge, is a space whichpermits the opening of the oyster, as well known. It will be manifestthat if said space is filled or occupied the opening of the shells willbe prevented. Consequently I i11- sert in said space a plug 0, the samebearing tightly against the walls thereof, thus overcoming the power ofthe oyster to open its shell. The plug C may be made of metal, hardwood, &c., preferably wedge shape, and forcibly driven into the space,as aforesaid, so as to firmly engage with the shells; or a mass ofcement or other material may be introduced into the space so as tosufficiently fill the same, said material hardening and serving thepurpose of the plug 0.

I am aware that it is not new to secure the shells of a bivalve by meansof a rivet which is passed through said shells; but in such caseopenings are necessarily formed in the shells for the reception of therivet, the same permitting the oozing or escape of the liquor or juices,the effect of which is the destruction of the bivalve. I11 the presentcase the space between the shells rearward or outside of the hinge isutilized for the reception of means which prevent the opening of theshells, leaving the latter intact in all respects.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

The method of preserving a bivalve, which consists in securing theshells iminovably together by a plug inserted between said shellsrearward of the hinge thereof, substantially as described.

ALBERT A. FREEMAN.

\Vitnesses:

J OHN A. WIEDERsHEIM, A. P. JENNINGS.

